Shimla, Sept. 21: The 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, who had been reported missing, was found stranded in the snow near the Baralacha Pass and has been airlifted to Leh.

The Karmapa was leading a group to Leh, when they got stuck near the 16,400ft pass. There had been no news of him till he was traced by a helicopter in Bharatgarh, beyond the pass, today.

The Karmapa and his team are safe rescue teams have been rushed to bring back the remaining stranded people. The Border Roads Organisation has started clearing the snow on the Manali-Keylong-Baralacha-Sarchu highway on a war footing, Himachal chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said.

Himachal has been hit by heavy rain and snow, which claimed 35 lives over three days.